History Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances

Gettysburg offered Franchetti an opportunity to study across multiple academic disciplines and explore a wealth of career-building experiences. A double major in history and English with a concentration in writing, she served as editor-in-chief of both The Getttysburgian and Her Campus and as nonfiction genre head of The Mercury. During her senior year, she was the lead communications intern for the Office of Communications and Marketing and also worked as a user service assistant in Musselman Library. A global leader for the Center for Global Education (CGE), she studied abroad in England during her junior year. “Through the academic curriculum and my extracurricular activities, I have learned the importance of storytelling and how to effectively communicate those stories with an audience,” Franchetti said. “These lessons and experiences that I have gained at Gettysburg have made me a more driven and focused student and person.” Following graduation, Franchetti plans to move to Washington, D.C., to pursue a career in government communications.

“Liberal arts and sciences students are more well-rounded, better writers and communicators, and overall more flexible scholars,” Wildgruber noted. “The academic curriculum at Gettysburg has challenged me to become a better writer and encouraged me to work outside of my comfort zone.” Inspired by Robert C. Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies Peter Carmichael and German Studies Prof. Tres Lambert to pursue goals he never thought possible before arriving at Gettysburg, Wildgruber was the first Gettysburg student placed by the Civil War Institute at a Smithsonian museum, interning at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. A history and German studies double major, he served as a peer teaching associate in the German Department and as a research assistant with CWI, while also studying abroad in both Austria and Germany. His experiences on campus and off helped him secure a prestigious Fulbright grant to study, conduct research, and teach in Austria this fall. After completing the term of his Fulbright, Wildgruber intends to go to law school. “Gettysburgians are active citizens, who understand the consequences of their education and strive to use it to the fullest,” Wildgruber said.” They serve others and devote themselves to making the world a better place.”

Monzeglio chose Gettysburg for its intimate classroom setting and the historic significance of the location, aligning with her lifelong passion for history. She majored in history, with minors in Middle East and Islamic studies, Civil War era studies, and public history. Monzeglio was actively engaged on campus, serving in leadership roles with the Alexander Hamilton Society, John Quincy Adams Society, and History honors society (Phi Alpha Theta). Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa this year, she took part in various fellowships and internships, including a Pohanka internship through the Civil War Institute at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park and an internship at the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Historical Office. Monzeglio’s academic journey also included studying abroad in Copenhagen and exploring counterterrorism from a European perspective. “The value of a liberal arts and sciences education is it creates well rounded and intellectually curious students,” Monzeglio said. “I went into Gettysburg only wanting to focus on American history. However, through the liberal arts education and history major requirements, I was challenged to broaden my horizons.”

A history major and Civil War era studies and public history minor, Jensen took part in immersive internships each summer while she was in college, including a Civil War Institute (CWI) funded internship at the Seminary Ridge Museum in 2021 and a Kolbe Fellowship in 2023. Gettysburg’s broad approach to learning paved the way for Jensen to engage in numerous leadership experiences on campus, including with the Panhellenic Council, Order of Omega, Gettysburg Historical Journal, Phi Alpha Theta, Alpha Phi Omega, and Alpha Delta Pi. “It's about personal growth and a holistic collegiate experience,” said Jensen about the value of a liberal arts and sciences education. “It's about learning to think critically, communicate effectively, and understand the world around us in a broader context. Gettysburg’s classes pushed me to be a critical thinker, challenged preconceived notions, and strengthened my writing skills.” This summer, Jensen will intern at the American Battlefield Trust in Washington, D.C., before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a master’s in library and information science on an archival track.

 “I learned how to be more open-minded and honest with myself about who I am and who I want to be,” said Roshon, a history and English double major and Civil War era studies minor. “Not only have I developed my skills in research, writing, and critical-thinking, but I have also learned how to be a better person, both for myself and others. These are skills that every human needs to function in the real world and their careers, including my own.” Roshon was a member of the Bullets Marching Band and symphony band, served as a tutor at El Centro, and studied abroad in England. The summer before her junior year, Roshon completed the Diane Werley Smith ’73 Internship in Gettysburg College’s Special Collections, which alongside the continuous support of Prof. Ian Isherwood. helped cement her career goal of becoming an archivist after getting a master’s degree in library and information science.

 “[Being a Gettysburgian] means working hard to achieve your goals and to go out of your comfort zone if you want to be successful outside of college,” said Letizia, who is a history major with minors in public history, Italian studies, and peace and justice studies. Letizia studied post-genocide restoration and peacebuilding with the School for International Training (SIT) Rwanda program through Gettysburg and was a fellow with the Civil War Institute. She also contributed to the Gettysburg Historical Journal and the Gettysburg College Civil War Journal. Letizia, whose favorite memories on campus include the International Food Fest and going into town with her friends, plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduation.

 “Gettysburg is where I was able to figure out who I was as a person and student. It is the experience that made me into who I am today,” said Seiple, a history major and German studies minor. Seiple was selected to the Brian C. Pohanka Internship Program through Gettysburg’s Civil War Institute and spent the summer working at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. She also interned at Fort Macon State Park, studied abroad in Vienna, Austria, and was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Seiple, who mentioned the First-Year Walk and Servo Thanksgiving among her favorite memories on campus, will pursue a career as a social studies teacher after graduation.

“In the fall of 2021, I accepted an internship at Gettysburg College’s Special Collections,” said Adam, who majored in history and minored in public history. “That semester, I experienced work as an archivist. I created finding aids, stored and displayed artifacts, and conducted research. Fellow intern Alicia Method ’23 and I successfully completed the internship’s biggest project: an exhibit on women’s history at Gettysburg College. This experience solidified my interest in working in the field of public history.” This summer, Adam will intern at the Adams County Historical Society and the Seminary Ridge Museum through the Brian C. Pohanka Internship program. Next fall, she will pursue a graduate degree at James Madison University with the goal of working as a curator one day.

“Dr. [Jim] Downs’ Narratives of Illness [class], which I took the fall of my junior year, was one of the most impactful moments of my time at Gettysburg,” Bohn said. “In that class—a rather timely one, given COVID-19—I gained a more critical understanding of the history and societal frameworks of how we treat disease. More importantly, however, Dr. Downs taught me how to become a much more effective writer and critical thinker, two invaluable skills that any college student should develop.” Bohn majored in history, earning his teacher certification, and after graduation, he plans on attending law school and then pursuing a career in law. “I have been interested in law for years, and thanks to professors and clubs such as Mock Trial, Gettysburg has helped me cultivate that interest and the skills required to achieve it,” Bohn added.